Cowl neck barrier gown with attachments

ABSTRACT

This invention offers a fully protective cowl neck garment with various fasteners designed to attach additional protective gear, such as gloves and shoe coverings. Additionally, a temperature sensor shield is located on the hat and protective mask. This allows the clients or patients the ability to see and to monitor the temperature of their caregivers. The caregiver&#39;s temperature is visible on the hat, as well as the face mask. This makes the caregivers accountable to their clients or patients, as well as their colleagues and coworkers. This invention eliminates the worry of contact with infectious diseases or dangerous liquids, by utilizing elastic manual ties and hook-and-loop fasteners to ensure the garment is secured fully on a user&#39;s body. Overall, this invention ensures medical professionals, firemen, emergency medical personnel, government workers, and so forth, are protected fully from contagious and infectious diseases, liquids, and so forth.

STATEMENT OF RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/020,884 filed Jun. 27, 2018, which claims from U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/990,790 filed Jan. 8, 2016, which claims fromU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/101,028 filed Jan. 8, 2015.This application also is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 16/018,058 filed Jun. 26, 2018, which claims from U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/990,790 filed Jan. 8, 2016, which claims fromU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/101,028 filed Jan. 8, 2015.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Protective garments such as surgical and disposable gowns are wellknown. This is a time of great concern for the medical profession whentreating infectious and contagious patients. The medical professionalstypically wear protective suits and coverings to prevent contaminationand disease transmission. These suits, while offering a great deal ofprotection, still may not be useable to protect all areas of the body.Contamination outside a designated area can result in seriousconsequences. Further, some people may be unable to fit into standardprotective garments and may be left with baggy or ill-fitting clothing.Therefore, there is a need for a gown, pants, gloves, and shoe coveringsthat offer comfort and total protection.

Conventional disposable surgical gowns commonly are constructed from anonwoven fabric. The gown body section is generally a singular piece ofmaterial or is composed of a number of panels of material attachedtogether. An example of a single gown made using raglan-type sleeves,attached to a one-piece gown body, is the light weight gown (productcode 90751) from Kimberly-Clark, Corp. of Neenah, Wis., U.S.A.

A drawback to the conventional gown is that the gowns tends to needextra protection in the front chest and torso area. These are the areasmost susceptible to the various contaminates. There also is a problemwith most gowns being too short for the larger professionals. I havebeen able to solve these problems by designing a longer gown that comesbelow the knees and that has attached to the front chest torso area, aplastic apron for extra protection. This is a fixed attachment makingthe apron easily accessible at all times. There also is a fixed maskmade into the collar of the gown, making it easily accessible at alltimes while wearing the disposable gown.

There are several types of headpieces and devices available to add tothe protection of the gown. Some devices provide a protective garmentthat facilitates protection of the neck and chest of an individual.There are other devices that provide isolation garments with footwearattachments. These devices, however, fail to provide a cowl neck garmentwith fasteners at the waist, shoulders, and the extremities for theattachment of accessories, such as gloves, shoe covers, and headpieces.This invention relates to a unique configuration for Personal ProtectiveEquipment (hereinafter referred to as “PPE”) that can be worn as layersclosing tightly the areas of the wrist and/or upper arms and the anklesand/or legs. Certain drawbacks with conventional gowns can be addressedwithout sacrificing the gown and other PPE protective wear's nature orcompromising any sterile fields.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Objects and advantages of this invention will be set forth in part inthe following description, or may be obvious from the description, ormay be learned through practice of this invention. This inventionrelates particularly to a surgical gown, surgical pants, short- andboot-length shoe covers, short and long gloves, and attaching headpieceand mask. The gloves and shoe coverings are attached to the garmentswith hook-and-loop fasteners. The mask, shield, and hat have athermometer made in or on them, allowing the garment user's temperatureto be displayed clearly. The gown relates to a unique configuration fora protective garment. It has a closed front, an open back, and longsleeves finished with an elastomeric material. The closed front definesa cowl neck collar which extends high on the neck in the front,displaying a N95 or higher filtration mask attached to and/or made intothe collar of the garment. The closed front also incorporates a sectionof barrier repellant material that extends from an upper chest region ofthe garment to a location above the bottom edge of the gown, whichextends below the wearer's knees when the garment is donned. The sleeveshave two rows of hook-and-loop fastening straps for a tight fitting andsecure attachment of the gloves. The gloves are available in twolengths. One length should attach with hook-and-loop fastening straps atthe wrist area. The second choice of gloves should attach withhook-and-loop fastening straps below the elbow area. The back of thegown has an attached hood that can be attached to the gown with sectionsof hook-and-loop fastening strips. It attaches on one side in the backand on one or more strips in the front and/or sides. The border regionof the face of the hood is finished with elastomeric material orelastomeric finishing.

The pants have a waist band of elastomeric material and an attached beltand/or draw string belt for extra support. The bottom edge of the pantlegs are finished with an elastomeric material. The pants have two rowsof hook-and loop fastening straps for tight fittings and a more secureattachment that allows the shoe coverings to be either attached at theankle with hook-and-loop fastening straps, or below the knee withhook-and-loop fastening straps.

The headpiece is part of this unique invention. It consists of a hat andshield. A mask can be attached to the shield or worn unattached underthe shield. The hood can be worn under the shield or hung loose on theback for convenience.

The unique configuration of this invention provides significant benefitsto the wearer. The hook- and-loop fastening attributes to the securityof and tailored fit for each individual. Double or triple gloving isrecommended when protecting the health care professionals frompotentially harmful contaminants. An added benefit is the fact that oncethe outer gloves are removed, the wearer then can untie the back of thegown and disrobe without taking off the attached gloves. Then the pantscan be taken off without detaching the attached shoe covers as well. Thegarments are turned inside out for a safe and effective removal process.The garment should be able to be taken off as one or two pieces. Thepants and shoe covers come off as a single unit. The gloves and gown cancome off as a single unit. Alternatively, the gown, gloves, pants, andshoe covers all can come off as a single unit. The headpiece can comeoff as an attachment or a single unit.

This equipment will come in various sizes and colors, ranging fromextremely large sizes to sizes for children and babies. No one should beleft out. Thus, it should be appreciated that the style andconfiguration of this invention is not a limiting factor. Regardless ofthe type of garment, it should be appreciated that PPE (PersonalProtective Equipment) constructed in accordance with this invention isnot limited to any particular types of materials. Conventional materialsfor making PPE are well known to those skilled in the art, and any suchmaterial may be used for PPE in accordance with this invention.Likewise, there are a number of elastomeric extensible materials used inthe art that may serve adequately as the elastomeric material sectionfor use in this invention. This invention is in no way intended only forhuman beings. The complete embodiment or portions of this invention canbe extended to apply to pets and other animals. This serves to be a veryunique and different invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of this invention, including the bestmode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forthmore particularly in the remainder of the specification, which makesreference to the appended figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of a protective garment andpants in accordance with this invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of gloves attachment in accordance with thisinvention.

FIG. 3 is a side and bottom view of shoe attachments in accordance withthis invention.

FIG. 4 is a back view of the embodiment of a protective garment inaccordance with this invention.

FIG. 5 is a front to side view of a hood of an embodiment of aprotective garment in accordance with this invention.

FIG. 6 is a front to side view of a hood of an embodiment of aprotective garment with a visor in accordance with this invention.

FIG. 7 is a front to side view of a protective garment, headpiece, andattachments in accordance with this invention.

FIG. 8 is the back view of a hat of the protective garment in accordancewith this invention.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a protective garment, headpiece, andattachments in accordance with this invention.

FIG. 10 is a view of protective attachments and thermometers inaccordance with this invention.

FIG. 11 is a back view of a protective garment displaying the hoodunattached in accordance with this invention.

FIG. 12 is a back view of a protective garment displaying the hoodattached in accordance with this invention.

FIG. 13 is a back view of a protective garment displaying the hood fullyassembled on the head in accordance with this invention.

FIG. 14 is a side view of a protective garment in accordance with thisinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference now will be made in detail to one or more embodiments of thisinvention, examples of which are illustrated graphically in thedrawings. Each example and embodiment is provided by way of explanationof this invention, and not meant as a limitation of the invention. Forexample, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment maybe utilized with another embodiment to yield still a further embodiment.It is intended that this invention include these and other modificationsand variations.

As used herein, the term “garment” refers to protective garments and/orshields, including for example, but not limited to, surgical gowns,patient drapes, work suits, aprons, and so forth. As used herein, theterm “liquid resistant” or “liquid repellant” refers to material havinga hydrostatic head of at least about 25 centimeters as determined inaccordance with the standard hydrostatic pressure test AATCCTM No.1271977.

“Elastomeric” refers to a material or composite that can be extended orelongated by at least 25% of its relaxed length, and that will recover,upon release of the applied force, at least 10% of its elongation. Itgenerally is preferred that the elastomeric material or composite becapable of being elongated by at least 100%, and recover at least 50% ofits elongation. Thus, an elastomeric material is stretchable:“stretchable,” “elastomeric,” and “extensible” may be usedinterchangeably.

“Elastic” or Elasticized” means that property of a material or compositeby virtue of which it tends to recover towards its original size andshape after removal of a force causing a deformation. This inventionrelates to a unique configuration for a protective garment. The garmentis illustrated and described herein as a disposable surgical gown andhazmat suit for illustrative purposes. It should be appreciated that agarment in accordance with this invention is not limited to a gown,coverall, robe, gloves, shoe covers, pants, headpieces, mask,thermometers, and so forth. A conventional gown is illustratedconceptually in FIG. 1 . The gown includes a gown body 17 that is madefrom a generally non-elastomeric material and that has a closed front asillustrated in FIG. 1 and an open back as illustrated in FIG. 4 . Theback is “open” in that open sides provide access to the gown asillustrated again in FIG. 4 and FIGS. 11, 12 , and 13. The gown body 17may be formed from a single piece of material as illustrated in FIGS. 1,4, 11, 12, 13 , or may be defined by separate panels of material joinedat the seams.

The sleeves may be of the same or different material of the gown body17, and may be attached to the body at sleeve seams. Hook-and-loopfasteners 14 and 15 in FIG. 1 are located on the sleeves. There is aflap turned up on hook-and-loop fastener 14 on the upper sleeve in FIG.1 , allowing for an attachment of long glove 6, 8 in FIG. 1 , and thenthe turning down of the flap 14A in FIG. 1 . The lower hook-and-loopattachment 15 is for the attachment of the shorter glove 7 in FIG. 1 ,and then the turning down of the accompanying flap. The gloves 6 and 7attach to the hook-and-loop fasteners 14 and 15, and then the flaps arepositioned in a downward manner to help secure the gloves in place.Elastomeric cuffs 16 may be provided at the ends of the sleeves. Anyconventional securing mechanism, such as strap or ties 35 and 36 in FIG.4 , may be provided with the closed front gown body 17 in FIG. 1 and/oropen back of gown body 17 in FIG. 4 for securing the gown once donned.It should be appreciated that various configurations of gown are wellknown to those skilled in the art, and all such configurations arewithin the scope and spirit of this invention. The gown body 17 has aunique and unusual cowl neck collar 13 as illustrated in FIG. 1 . Theneck section of collar 13 extends up to the ears and is able to be heldin place by the elastic material that goes around the ears 3 in FIG. 1 .The cowl neck collar 13 of the body has a mask secured to or made intothe front of the collar, making it available at all times while wearingthis protective garment. The body portion of the mask 2 in FIG. 1relates to a N95 greater or lesser filtration mask material. The borderof the upper collar is secured with elastomeric type material 1 in FIG.1 . The elastic upper and lower ties 4 in FIG. 1 help to hold the masksnugly in place. The gown body 17, particularly its closed front,defines a hook-and-loop neck line 5 (in FIG. 1 ) that allows for theattachment of the hood 24 in FIG. 5 .

The gown body 17 has a closed front, an upper chest region, a midregion, and a lower leg region extending down to the edge of the garmentfor a barrier type apron 9 as shown in FIG. 1 . As defined in FIG. 1 ,the gown 17 has a length such that the edge extends below the wearer'sknees. The apron front is made of a liquid repellant material thatfunctions as a liquid resistant barrier material. The apron 9 extendsfrom the upper chest region to the lower leg region. The embodiment ofthe apron 9 section may be incorporated into the closed front with acontinuous seam around the periphery thereof. Such materials may beattached in many different ways. The illustration in FIG. 11 displaysthe back of the protective garment gown 27 having a hood that isattached on one side 37. FIG. 12 shows the back of the gown 27 having ahood firmly attached to the hook-and loop-fastener. FIG. 13 shows thehood pulled up to cover the head 24. The protective garment, gown, andhood section in FIG. 14 displays a front view of the hood 25 fullyplaced on the garment with hook-and-loop fasteners 5. The circumferenceof the face displays an elastic material 25 to help secure the hood andto protect the face area, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 14 . FIG. 5 displaysthe hood 24 with an elastic type closing 25 for the hood andhook-and-loop fasteners 5 for the attachment of the hood to theprotective gown. The illustration in FIG. 6 displays the hood with aprotective visor 26 and shield in place for extra protection.

The gown body 17 includes a pair of disposable or surgical pants 34 (inFIG. 1 ) as part of the invention of protective garment. The pants 34provides extra security by having a closed front, an elastic typematerial for a waist band 19, and a string tie. The pants 34 may be ofthe same or different material of the gown body 17. Defined on the legsof the pants are hook-and-loop fasteners 20 and 21, as illustrated inFIG. 1 . There is a flap turned up on the upper leg that allows for anattachment of a shoe cover or boot 10 (FIG. 1 ) that extends to the calfor knee area of the leg. The flap is turned down to secure theattachment. Defined on the lower legs also is a loop-and-hook fastener21 that allows for the attachment of a shorter boot 11 (FIG. 1 ) or shoecovering. Then the flap is turned down for a more secure attachment 21A(FIG. 1 ). The bottom of the shoe covers or boots display a type oftraction. This can be made with strips or various materials 12 (FIG. 1). The top of the long and short boots or shoe covers displayhook-and-loop-fasteners for a more secure fit. The pants legs of theprotective garment are finished with an elastic type of material 22 atthe hems 23 for a more secure fit. A suitable gown material is anappropriate chemical treatment to enhance liquid repellency and staticdecay.

This invention relates in general to the field of face shields. Moreparticularly, this invention's head gear relates to a disposable faceshield. Face shields are used in a variety of industries to preventsplatter of liquids and materials onto a user's face. Face shields areused in the medical field for application during surgeries or variousprocedures. They prevent splatter of a patient's blood or other bodilyfluids in the operator's face. It is most convenient to have disposableface shields made of inexpensive materials that can be replaced quickly.The following are non-limiting embodiments. One embodiment provides aface shield comprising a visor that is curved about multiple axes 29, asshown in FIG. 7 , thereby providing for improved coverage and protectionfrom patient-generated airborne droplets. As a result of this changefrom a cylindrical shape to a three dimensional shape with varyingangles along multiple axes 29, the wearer's head supposedly is protectedfrom the side as well as the bottom, significantly enhancing operationalsafety and user comfort. FIG. 7 shows a cap attached to the shield 28Afor head coverage and protection. The cap 28 (FIG. 9 ) is shown in FIG.8 at the backside 28B and allows for adjustments to be made 28C toaccommodate the various head sizes and or shapes. FIGS. 7, 5, and 9display a skirt that is attached to the upper portion of the protectivegown by hook-and-loop fasteners 5. It can be worn with the attachments,or worn with a totally different gown for added protection. Theillustrated protection garment is secured in place by a strap or tie atthe bottom of the skirt SB in FIGS. 5 and 9 . The protection garmentequipment 31 in FIG. 7 also displays a face mask with a temperaturethermometer 308, 30A (FIG. 10 ) made in or attached to it. Thisillustration shows a strip thermometer that is capable of detecting thetemperature of the user. The temperature reads on one side 30A and isdisplayed on the other side 308 in LCD display. The illustration in 308and 32 in FIG. 10 shows a possible button for activation of a sensortemperature monitor and a display of a LCD screen. The reading displayscreens can be either viewed by the public or hidden by a disposablecovering, making the temperature reading private. There are manydifferent ways to add a temperature thermometer to a mask, and thisinvention does not limit the ways. The face mask 31 in FIG. 7 alsodisplays two elastic type straps 33 for a secure fit. This face maskattaches from the face shield to the mask with an accordion style device30, or a similar attachment that is made of a suitable material. Thisallows for flexibility when wearing the mask and shield protective wear.

The protection garment and temperature thermometer are illustrated anddescribed herein as part of the disposable shield, face mask, shieldattachment, and hazmat suit. For illustrative purposes, it should beappreciated that a garment protection equipment in accordance with thisinvention is not limited to hats, face shields, face mask, straps, gearfor the face, and so forth, revealing or having the attachment of athermometer. Each explanation and illustration of this invention is notmeant as a limitation of the invention and its attachments. An exampleis that features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment maybe utilized with another embodiment to yield still another embodiment.It is intended that the present invention includes those and othermodifications and variations. It should be appreciated by those skilledin the art that the system and method according to this invention havewide applications, and that the examples and embodiments set forthherein are merely exemplary. It is intended that this invention includesuch uses and embodiments as come within the scope and spirit of theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A protective garment, comprising: a face maskcomprising: a filtration component for filtering air for a user of theface mask during breathing; a cowl neck collar having a first end and asecond end opposite the first end, and an elastomeric-type collar at thesecond end, the elastomeric-type collar configured as a closed loopedborder at the second end of the cowl neck collar or an open border atthe second end of the cowl neck collar with each open end of the openborder extending as an elastic tie on a first side of the cowl neckcollar, the cowl neck collar also defined by a body portion between thefirst end and the second end on a second side of the cowl neck collar,the second side opposite the first side, the body portion for holding orsituating the filtration component on the second side of the cowl neckcollar, wherein the elastomeric-type collar is for holding the secondside of the cowl neck collar up and in place along the user's faceduring use; and an elastic ear loop at the second end of the cowl neckcollar configured to go around the user's ear, the elastic ear loop forholding the first side of the gaiter up and in place along the user'shead and neck during use.
 2. The protective garment as claimed in claim1, additionally comprising a closed back open-front, or closed-frontopen-back, gown or apron for the user of the face mask for going overthe first end of the cowl neck collar of the face mask without coveringor obstructing the cowl neck collar of the face mask during use.
 3. Theprotective garment as claimed in claim 1, additionally comprising a hoodfor the user of the face mask for going over the user's head and forgoing over the first side second end of the cowl neck collar of the facemask during use.
 4. The protective garment as claimed in claim 3,wherein the hood for going over the user's head and the first sidesecond end of the cowl neck collar also is for going over the first endof the cowl neck collar of the face mask during use.
 5. The protectivegarment as claimed in claim 1, additionally comprising a flexibletransparent face shield for the user of the face mask for covering theuser's face and for covering the filtration component along the secondside of the cowl neck collar of the face mask during use.
 6. Theprotective garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the face maskadditionally comprises a thermometer defined by a reusable thermometeror thermometer sensor strip, the thermometer configured to come intocontact with the user of the cowl neck collar of the face mask, thethermometer for reading the temperature of the user during use.
 7. Theprotective garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the filtrationcomponent is configured as a N95 mask, a surgical mask, a rigid orsemi-rigid mask, a plastic mask, a shell mask, or a hollow chamber maskhaving a rear-facing opening and a rim wherein the rear-facing openingis pear shaped when viewed from the rear of the filtration component. 8.A protective garment, comprising: a face mask comprising: a filtrationcomponent for filtering air for a user of the face mask duringbreathing; a cowl neck collar having a first end and a second endopposite the first end, and an elastomeric-type collar at the secondend, the elastomeric-type collar configured as a closed looped border atthe second end of the cowl neck collar or an open border at the secondend of the cowl neck collar with each open end of the open borderextending as an elastic tie on a first side of the cowl neck collar, thecowl neck collar also defined by a body portion between the first endand the second end on a second side of the cowl neck collar, the secondside opposite the first side, the body portion for holding or situatingthe filtration component on the second side of the cowl neck collar,wherein the elastomeric-type collar is for holding the second side ofthe cowl neck collar up and in place along the user's face during use;and an elastic ear loop at the second end of the cowl neck collarconfigured to go around the user's ear, the elastic ear loop for holdingthe first side of the cowl neck collar up and in place along the user'shead and neck during use; and a closed-front open-back gown or apron forthe user of the face mask for going over the first end of the cowl neckcollar of the face mask without covering or obstructing the cowl neckcollar of the face mask during use.
 9. The protective garment as claimedin claim 8, additionally comprising a hood for the user of the face maskfor going over the user's head and for going over the first side secondend of the cowl neck collar of the face mask during use, wherein theclosed-front open-back gown or apron comprises a hook-and-loop neck linefor attaching the hood to the gown or apron during use.
 10. Theprotective garment as claimed in claim 9, wherein the hood for goingover the user's head and the first side second end of the cowl neckcollar also is for going over the first end of the cowl neck collar ofthe face mask during use.
 11. The protective garment as claimed in claim8, additionally comprising a flexible transparent face shield for theuser of the face mask for covering the user's face and for covering thefiltration component along the second side of the cowl neck collar ofthe face mask during use.
 12. The protective garment as claimed in claim8, wherein the face mask additionally comprises a thermometer defined bya reusable thermometer or thermometer sensor strip, the thermometerconfigured to come into contact with the user of the cowl neck collar ofthe face mask, the thermometer for reading the temperature of the userduring use.
 13. The protective garment as claimed in claim 8, whereinthe filtration component is configured as a N95 mask, a surgical mask, arigid or semi-rigid mask, a plastic mask, a shell mask, or a hollowchamber mask having a rear-facing opening and a rim wherein therear-facing opening is pear shaped when viewed from the rear of thefiltration component.
 14. A protective garment, comprising: a face maskcomprising: a filtration component for filtering air for a user of theface mask during breathing; a cowl neck collar having a first end and asecond end opposite the first end, and an elastomeric-type collar at thesecond end, the elastomeric-type collar configured as a closed loopedborder at the second end of the cowl neck collar or an open border atthe second end of the cowl neck collar with each open end of the openborder extending as an elastic tie on a first side of the cowl neckcollar, the cowl neck collar also defined by a body portion between thefirst end and the second end on a second side of the cowl neck collar,the second side opposite the first side, the body portion for holding orsituating the filtration component on the second side of the cowl neckcollar, wherein the elastomeric-type collar is for holding the secondside of the cowl neck collar up and in place along the user's faceduring use; and an elastic ear loop at the second end of the cowl neckcollar configured to go around the user's ear, the elastic ear loop forholding the first side of the cowl neck collar up and in place along theuser's head and neck during use; a closed-front open-back gown or apronfor the user of the face mask for going over the first end of the cowlneck collar of the face mask without covering or obstructing the cowlneck collar of the face mask during use; and a hood for the user of theface mask for going over the user's head and for going over the firstside second end of the cowl neck collar of the face mask during use;wherein the closed-front open-back gown or apron also comprises ahook-and-loop neck line for attaching the hood to the gown or apronduring use.
 15. The protective garment as claimed in claim 14, whereinthe hood for going over the user's head and the first side second end ofthe cowl neck collar also is for going over the first end of the neckcollar of the face mask during use.
 16. The protective garment asclaimed in claim 14, additionally comprising a flexible transparent faceshield for the user of the face mask for covering the user's face andfor covering the filtration component along the second side of the cowlneck collar of the face mask during use.
 17. The protective garment asclaimed in claim 14, wherein the face mask additionally comprises athermometer defined by a reusable thermometer or thermometer sensorstrip, the thermometer configured to come into contact with the user ofthe cowl neck collar of the face mask, the thermometer for reading thetemperature of the user during use.
 18. The protective garment asclaimed in claim 14, wherein the filtration component is configured as aN95 mask, a surgical mask, a rigid or semi-rigid mask, a plastic mask, ashell mask, or a hollow chamber mask having a rear-facing opening and arim wherein the rear-facing opening is pear shaped when viewed from therear of the filtration component.